MAIA Bouchier put her Women’s Ashes woes behind her to strike 61 and set Hampshire on their way to their first One-Day Cup women's competition victory.

England batter Bouchier only averaged six in the series defeat to Australia but was fluent in partnership with Ella McCaughan – who impressed with 61 as Hampshire reached 259 for eight.

Surrey faltered to 23 for three in reply, and although Alice Capsey picked up 57 and Alice Monaghan a brisk 40, Surrey begun their campaign with back-to-back defeats after falling 50 runs short.

Lauren Bell claimed two for 43, but it was spinner Linsey Smith who strangled and then disarmed the batters with a sensational three for 28.

Both teams came into the match on the back of thrilling opening round matches, with Hampshire dramatically securing a tie against Warwickshire and Surrey falling to a last-ball loss to Somerset.

After the match, Bouchier said: "That was a really good team performance. It was nice to bat on at the start, it came on really nicely. I was really confident in playing straight and through the ball.

“We talk about being calm and level as an opening pair and keeping it really simple – hitting it straight and watching the ball all the way and we did that really well.

“It was a really important innings for me. It wasn’t a great Ashes for me but all I can do is learn and grow from that. I have worked on my technique for a while so going into games my mindset is very process driven rather than outcome driven – that is so key.

“What I did well was being confident in my strengths, like hitting the ball down the ground, so I want to keep going with that process and enjoying my cricket.

“We got really key early wickets which put us in a good stead for the rest of the game. Those key moments are what we play for.”

Hampshire Women are back in action with a third One-Day Cup match, away at Lancashire on Wednesday, April 30.